Course content and structure

Picture BA Organ/Choral Conducting

Course content.

Artistic excellence on the organ and in conducting as well as the diverse skills that make a good choral conductor are a major part of the Bachelor degree programme. This includes comprehensive knowledge of global and sacred music choir literature, tuition in Organ conducting, singing, piano and sight reading, music analytical design will, a colleagial atmosphere and many opportunities to gather active experience with ensembles. Further modules place your own music-making in a historical, theoretical, scientific and social context. The course is extended in a specialized vocational Master’s programme. 

Course structure.

Core
The tuition in both major subjects takes place on an individual basis. Improvization, continuo as well as a broad education in practical vocational piano-playing and chamber music supplement soloist practice on the organ, weekly group tuition in the choir studio, knowledge of methodological-didactic aspects of choral conducting as well as in-depth knowledge of your own singing voice round off the conducting practice. The study progress is assessed within the scope of public performances. 

Context
The theoretical music subjects further your understanding of the historical, analytical and scientific aspects of music. They are also relevant for research work, a joint language of discourse, systematic self-reflection, and help you to better understand your own music-making in the context of history and culture.

Experience 
Participation in choral projects with a liturgical and concert focus, body awareness and group improvization will extend your perspectives. On top of this, you acquire a broad knowledge of the repertoire, supplemented with internships, study days and trips, and an emphasis on historical instruments. Optional subjects enable you to consolidate your specific interests. 

Graduation project and examinations
You sit major subject and theoretical core subject examinations. You plan and implement your Bachelor project independently. You have plenty of scope for creativity in the form of an artistic presentation and a related written paper. This work is supported with colloquia and individual mentoring sessions.
 

Module plan:

Skills acquired in the course.

  • Play a representative organ and choral repertoire stemming from different style areas from the Renaissance through to the Modern era, and with knowledge of historically-based performance practice, and bearing in mind the specific methodological-didactic needs of different vocal formations and their rehearsal work in the subject of choral conducting. 
  • Use the foundations of organ improvization and liturgical organ playing appropriately in your work and develop it independently.
  • Treat your own singing voice with care and apply the knowledge that you have gained in the voice subject area responsibly for choral voice training.
  • Thanks to broad training in practical vocational piano-playing (sight-reading, reading old keys, popular music), you are able to apply this knowledge confidently in your work. 
  • On the basis of fundamental knowledge, perform simple thoroughbass movements and use them appropriately for chamber music work.
  • Independent, critical reflection on music.
  • Expertly apply the fundamentals of music history as well as comprehensive knowledge of theoretical musical concepts, terminologies and methods. 
  • Develop artistic concepts independently, elaborate on them precisely and implement them publicly.
  • Deal with various performance situations under different production conditions with ease.
  • Design programmes for a variety of event formats independently and implement them in an original manner. 
  • Apply comprehensive knowledge of practice, memorization, rehearsal and working techniques in a targeted manner when dealing with musical material.
  • Basic knowledge of conceptual project work and music-related research methods in transfer.
  • Continually promote and critically question your own artistic development, thanks to your capacity for differentiated self-perception and reflection.
  • Take the initiative in social situations and adjust your communication and presentation skills to suit your audience. 
  • Act flexibly in a heterogeneous, multicultural environment. 

Entry requirements.

Participants are expected to have advanced knowledge of organ playing and choral conducting, voice and the piano, demonstrate personal commitment and want to make music their profession. Further requirements:

  • General artistic talent and creativity
  • Good basic knowledge of music theory 
  • Ability to listen analytically 
  • Mental resilience and physiological aptitude 
  • Independence and personal responsibility

→ Detailed information on the entry requirements and admission procedure is available here.

Benefits of studying at ZHdK.

Studying at ZHdK offers a wealth of unique benefits:

  • You have access to the Toni Campus: a public, cultural and university campus for all artistic disciplines that is unparalleled in its dimensions anywhere in Europe.
  • You benefit from possible collaboration with students from other artistic disciplines. 
  • You have the opportunity to undertake exchange semesters and many possibilities to explore other cultures thanks to ZHdK Music’s extensive international network. 
  • The self-designed graduation projects motivate you to organize your work independently. 
  • You gain extensive practical experience and have many opportunities to perform thanks to the diverse relationships with the regional cultural scene and its event organizations.